| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 099285000 | With signal, indicator or observation means | 48 |
| 20080282898 | Lime Tolerant Brewing System and Method - Disclosed is a system and method of dispensing a selected volume of liquid. The system includes an apparatus that has a reservoir having an inlet tube and outlet tube coupled thereto, and a controller for controlling at least a portion of the apparatus. Two level sensors are positioned along the reservoir and are in communication with and controlled by the controller. The method includes steps for measuring a time a liquid level in the reservoir falls from an upper level to a lower level to calculate a flow rate. The calculation flow rate may then be used to determine and compare a dispensed volume versus the selected volume. Dispensing may then continue until the selected volume has been dispensed. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20090095164 | METHOD OF ENHANCING BEVERAGES BY MEANS OF A UNIQUE MICROENCAPSULATED DELIVERY SYSTEM - The present invention provides a method of imparting flavor enhancers, (flavorings) flavor or aroma masking agents, medicinal additives, fragrances, vitamins, colorants, homeopathic and herbal remedies, appearance and characteristic modifiers and other ingredients to a brewed or steeped beverage such as coffee or tea by means of a microencapsulated delivery system incorporated onto a substrate or filter material such as those used in drip coffee makers or tea bags. The microcapsules are “printed” or laminated to the substrate filter paper in a pattern that allows water to pass through while the microcapsules filled with a flavoring liquid or solid is dissolved thus releasing the contents into the water stream resulting in a flavor-enhanced beverage. Alternative delivery may also be achieved by means of:
| 04-16-2009 |
| 20100229730 | TIME SINCE BREW INDICATOR FOR BEVERAGE MAKER - Various embodiments are directed to a beverage maker. The beverage maker may comprise a brew system, at least one sensor, a display and a control circuit. The brew system may comprise a heater, a reservoir and a container for receiving a brewed beverage. The at least one sensor may be positioned to sense an end of a brew cycle. The control circuit may be configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the end of the brew cycle. Upon detecting the end of the brew cycle, the control circuit may be configured to initiate a timer and cause a current value of the timer to be shown on the display. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20110048240 | Semi-Automatic Tea Maker - An electric tea maker device has a vessel with a reservoir having an opening that removably receives a tea brewing chamber. The chamber has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion lacks perforations and the lower portion has perforations. The device has a plunger for the chamber that, when in a depressed position within the chamber, isolates tea from the reservoir. The vessel has a sensor for detecting when the chamber is inserted into the reservoir in a brewing position, a brew countdown timer that is activated by the sensor, and an indicator for alerting a user that a brew countdown is complete. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110094391 | APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR REFILLING THE FILTER-HOLDERS OF AN ESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE WITH SELECTED DOSES OF GROUND COFFEE TO ORDER - An apparatus for refilling the filter-holders of a machine for the preparation of espresso coffee with selected doses of ground coffee to order, comprising at least one machine for the preparation of espresso coffee the machine being provided with a plurality of dispensing units for the preparation of respective coffee beverages, each dispensing unit comprising a respective detachable filter-holder and a plurality of keys for selecting the beverage to be dispensed by the relative dispensing unit and at least one coffee bean grinder and metering device provided with a hopper for supplying the beans with adjustable grinding adapted to provide a desired grain size for the ground coffee. The grinder and metering device is provided with a hopper for supplying the ground coffee and with supporting means for maintaining the filter-holder of the coffee machine with respect to the supply outlet when it is being refilled with the dose of ground coffee. An identification unit is provided on the espresso coffee machine generating information for recognising the filter-holder of a selected relative dispensing unit and information related to the type of dose with which the filter-holder is to be refilled. A detection unit is provided on the coffee bean metering and grinding device for detecting the information generated by the identification unit, the detection unit causing the corresponding dose to be supplied to the filter-holder when the latter is positioned and held by the supporting means. A wireless communicating device on the espresso coffee machine is provided for transmitting the information generated by the identification unit to the detection unit on the coffee bean metering and grinding device. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110162531 | WARNING DEVICE FOR A BEVERAGE MACHINE - A machine for preparing a liquid food or beverage, including at least one outermost machine face selected from a front face, a top face and a lateral face; a component for emitting light and a control unit connected to the light emitting component. The light emitting component has states of light emission or non-emission, and an illuminatable outer face on the outermost machine face. The control unit is arranged to detect at least one condition of such machine involving a non immediate readiness of such machine to prepare a liquid food or beverage, and to communicate this condition to a user via the illuminatable outer face by changing the state of the light emitting component. The illuminatable outer face extends in at least one direction across a substantial part of the outermost machine face and is arranged to be substantially entirely illuminated when in this state of light emission. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110192287 | Coffee Machine Comprising a Frothing Device and Means for Cleaning the Frothing Device and a Milk Suction Line and Process for Rinsing the Milk Suction Line - A coffee machine comprises a frothing device, wherein an internal milk channel leading to a frothing chamber is provided into which opens a bypass air inlet for operable air supply to the frothing device. A flexible milk suction line connects the frothing device with a milk supply container. Means are provided for cleaning the frothing device and the milk suction line with rinsing water from a continuous-flow water heater of the coffee machine. A controlled valve arrangement is provided which feeds rinsing water from the continuous-flow water heater to the bypass air inlet of the frothing device. A milk suction end of the milk suction line is directly or indirectly, fluid-conductively connectable with a residual water pan of the coffee machine prior to feeding rinsing water to the bypass air inlet. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110219956 | BEVERAGE DISPENSER - A beverage apparatus has a portable liquid container having a ledge detail within a top open end; a removable infuser with an annular support flange; and a gasket about the infuser below the annular support flange, where in use the gasket forms a seal with the container ledge detail and the infuser body, and further spaces the infuser annular support flange from the container ledge detail to define a liquid access gap. At least one vertical channel is defined through the gasket to communicate liquid through the gasket between the liquid container and the liquid access gap. A support base has an opening to receive and hold a bottom end of the portable liquid container and a heating element to heat liquid within the portable container when the container bottom end is inserted within the opening. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110283888 | AUTOMATIC COFFEE MAKER WITH SENSOR FOR DETECTING THE QUANTITY OF COFFEE IN THE MACHINE - The machine comprises: a brewing unit ( | 11-24-2011 |
| 20120097040 | FILTER HOLDER - A filter holder ( | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120137894 | DEVICE FOR STORING MILK - The invention relates to a device ( | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120210877 | TEA CUP AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A TEA CUP - The tea cup ( | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120240780 | BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE COMPRISING AN EXTENDED USER-ADVISORY FUNCTIONALITY - The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine ( | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120240781 | BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE WITH TOUCH MENU FUNCTIONALITY - The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine ( | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120260806 | Pre-packaged beverage brewer press - A pre-packaged beverage brewer press is taught that incorporates a hollow cylinder ( | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120285331 | ERGONOMIC SERVICE UNIT FOR BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINES - A beverage preparation machine comprises: a) a seat ( | 11-15-2012 |
| 20130061761 | BEVERAGE PRODUCTION DEVICE WITH ENHANCED CONTROL MEANS - The invention proposes a beverage production device for preparing single-component and/or multi-component beverages comprising: a brewing unit for preparing the component, a user interface ( | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130087050 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NETWORKED DRINK MAKING AND DISPENSING MACHINE - A system for generating beverages is provided. The system comprises a central host comprising a database, and a kiosk configured for communication with the central host. The kiosk comprises an electronic control unit (ECU), a plurality of process modules, and a memory device that is accessible by the ECU and suitable for storing information required for the operation of the kiosk. Each process module of the kiosk is configured to be controlled by the ECU to perform one or more chemical or mechanical processes contributing to the production of one or more brewed beverages. Further, information required for the operation of the kiosk is stored in the database of the central host and also stored in the memory device of the kiosk to allow the kiosk to operate independently of the central host when communication between the kiosk and central host is compromised. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130112081 | BEVERAGE DISPENSER WITH IMPROVED POWDER DOSING SYSTEM - The invention concerns a dispensing machine for producing beverages from a beverage ingredient powder comprising:—at least one powder storing and dosing sub-assemblies, each of them comprising: a buffer tank able to be connected to a food or beverage ingredient powder container, a dosing device for metering a dose of a beverage ingredient powder,—reconstitution means for preparing a beverage from a dose of the food or beverage ingredient powder, wherein each of the buffer tank comprises a tube for guiding the powder from the container connection means to the dosing device, the first portion of said tube emerging on the doses device being vertical. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130125760 | BATTERY BACKUP COFFEE MAKER - The present invention is a battery back-up coffee maker with a side that includes a coffee pot that is utilized in combination with the battery back-up coffee maker, an elongated transparent tube that fills with water that indicates a level of water in the water level gauge that indicates a water level of the battery back-up coffee maker and an LCD clock and timer display that displays a current time or a time each day that the battery back-up coffee maker activates an alarm. The coffee maker also includes a battery compartment that houses one or more batteries that serve as a back-up power source to the battery back-up coffee maker when currently provided power is terminated to the battery back-up coffee maker. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130133520 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR BREWING A BEVERAGE - A system for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, is provided. The system may have more than one brew module. The system allows a user to quickly and easily brew a variety of types of single-cup portions of a beverage. In some embodiments, the system may brew a single-cup portion of coffee in a relatively short period of time based on a combination of certain parameters. The system may include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles. The system may also include apparatus configured to substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. The system may also include apparatus configured to provide a precise dose of material based on, for example, volume of the material. Methods and apparatus for brewing a beverage are also disclosed. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130133521 | Vacuum brewed beverage machine and vacuum brewing method - The desired amount of coffee grounds, tea leaves, herbs or other beverage making material is placed in a chamber of glass vessel located on a moveable table top in its lowered position. The table top is then elevated until the upper edge of the vessel seals against a top seal. With the top sealed, the desired amount of water of about 185°-212° F. is introduced into the chamber through a port in the top. Thereafter, a vacuum is drawn in the chamber and is held within the range of about −5 to −20 Hg in. Using an external heat source, the brewing liquid is maintained at about 185°-212° F. Alternatively, the vacuum can be pulsed by turning it on and off several times during the brewing cycle. After the beverage has brewed for the desired amount of time, the heat and vacuum are removed, the chamber is returned to atmospheric pressure and the table top is lowered to release the vessel. The contents of the chamber are then strained to remove solids from the beverage. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130213237 | ELECTRIC TEA MAKER WITH WOODEN USER INTERFACE PANEL - A tea maker ( | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130220135 | HOT BEVERAGE PREPARATION DEVICE COMPRISING A DATA TRANSMISSION UNIT - A hot beverage preparation device, in particular a fully automatic coffee maker, can be operated in a normal operating mode for preparing hot beverages and in a data transmission mode for transmitting data to a receiver. The hot beverage preparation device includes an encoding unit for encoding the data to form at least one encoded data record in a machine-readable code and a display unit for displaying the encoded data record. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130220136 | TEA MAKER WITH LUMINOUS BREWING PROGRESS INDICATOR - A tea maker ( | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130239818 | INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING AND BLENDING/MIXING BEVERAGE INGREDIENTS - An integrated beverage blending system comprising: a controller for menu selection; an ice portion control module; an ingredient module; a dispensing apparatus in communication with the ice portion control module and the ingredient module, wherein the ice and the ingredient are dispensed into a beverage container via the dispensing apparatus; and at least one blender module which blends and/or mixes the ice and the ingredient in the beverage container, thereby producing the beverage; wherein, upon removal of the beverage container from the blender module, the blender module initiates a cleaning mode. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130247772 | BEVERAGE MACHINE WITH RELIABLE USER-INDICATOR - A beverage machine comprises: a processing unit ( | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130276636 | MODULAR BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM - A beverage preparation system ( | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130298777 | BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE - The present invention concerns a beverage preparation machine ( | 11-14-2013 |
| 20140102307 | WATER TANK FOR A HOUSEHOLD DEVICE AND A HOUSEHOLD DEVICE - A water tank for a household device includes a tank container with a bottom and side walls. At least one of the side walls includes filling-level markings that comprise a profiling formed integrally with the at least one side wall. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140251148 | MULTI-PURPOSE COFFEE MAKER POD HOLDER - A multi-purpose beverage pod holder for a beverage brewing apparatus is disclosed comprising a flange adapted to be received in a slot in the brewing apparatus, a screen disposed orthogonal with the flange for allowing fluid to pass therein through, a first cylindrical wall encircling the screen on a first surface of the pod holder, the first cylindrical wall having a first diameter and defining a first packet retainer, and a second cylindrical wall encircling the screen on an opposite surface of the pod holder, the second cylindrical wall having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter and defining a second packet retainer. The pod holder can be used to brew both espresso and coffee in the same machine depending upon the orientation of the pod holder. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140260997 | FLAVORED POURING DISPENSER - A bottle pouring dispenser featuring a dispenser housing having a lower end configured to be removably attached to and cover an open end of a bottle. The bottle pouring dispenser includes a valve providing one-way hydraulic communication from the bottle to a chamber defined within the dispenser housing. The dispenser housing has upper and lower chamber portions. A flavorant is disposed within the upper chamber portion in solid form and it is dissolvable in liquid so as to add flavoring to liquid flowing through the chamber. The flavorant is held spaced above a floor of the chamber, such that a lower portion of the chamber defines a drain volume beneath the flavorant for receiving liquid draining from about the flavorant. The bottle pouring dispenser further includes a pour spout extending from an upper end of the dispenser housing, for dispensing the flavored liquid from the chamber. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140290493 | Single Serving Brewing Material Adapter with Readable Label - An adapter for single serving cartridges includes a coffee maker readable identification feature. The identification feature may be visual (for example any feature which may be read or a bar code), a readable magnetic strip, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), or any feature able to contain information and provide that information to a reader. The adapter may be configured for known disposable single serving cartridges, and may include one or more needles to puncture the cartridges for use. The identification feature may inform the coffee maker that an adapter carrying a disposable single serving cartridge is in use, and adjust the coffee maker accordingly. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140373723 | BEVERAGE PREPARATION SYSTEM - The present invention concerns a beverage preparation machine ( | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150027315 | BEVERAGE PREPARATION MODULE HAVING ADDITIONAL MODULES FOR SELF-SERVICE BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINES - The disclosure relates to a beverage preparation module intended for installation in a self-service beverage vending machine. According to the disclosure, a water connection and a preparation device for preparing a beverage by means of water provided at the water connection are provided. Beverage preparation parameters can be transmitted to a control unit via a communication interface. The control unit is configured to control the preparation device in order to prepare a beverage based on the beverage preparation parameters. A beverage outlet for discharging the beverage prepared by the preparation device is provided. In one embodiment, at least one additional module interface is provided for connecting the control unit to at least one additional module. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150027316 | BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE WITH TOUCH MENU FUNCTIONALITY - The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine, comprising a memory for storing icons, said icons being divided into at least two menu level groups, whereby each icon indicates a selectable menu function of the machine. The machine further comprises a display for displaying: in a first operation mode a first group of icons adjacent a main portion of the display; and in a second operation mode one group of icons as currently selectable icons on said main portion of the display. A touch pad is adapted to accept a touch operation for switching between the first and second operation mode. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150040768 | SYSTEM FOR PREPARING A BEVERAGE FROM INGREDIENTS SUPPORTED BY AN ENCODED INSERT - The invention proposes a device for preparing a beverage from a food substance contained in a capsule ( | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150068404 | Reusable Brewing Cartridge - A reusable brewing cartridge includes a lid having a permanent injection nozzle passage and includes an extraction nozzle pocket permanently open at the top of the cartridge allowing use in a coffee maker configured to puncture a single use disposable cartridge lid with both the injection and extraction nozzles. The cartridge thus avoids puncturing contact with the extraction needle. The reusable brewing cartridge includes at least one passage in a cartridge base allowing brewed drink to escape the reusable brewing cartridge into a coffee container. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150114234 | DEVICE FOR IDENTIFICATION OF A FILTER HOLDER OF AN ESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE - A device for identification of a filter holder ( | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150135965 | Capsule-Based System for Preparing and Dispensing a Beverage - A beverage dispensing system that can dispense both cold and hot drinks from either cold drink capsules or hot drink capsules. The cold or hot drink capsule is inserted into the system, and the lid is manually closed. If a cold drink capsule has been inserted, a mechanism cracks the capsule along a predetermined seam, injects cold mixing fluid into the capsule, and then rotates the capsule to pour the mixed contents into a cup. As the contents are poured, additional cold fluid can be added to the cup. If a hot drink capsule has been inserted, closing the lid pushed it down on a bottom needle that punctures it. An injection needle rotates and punctures the top. Hot fluid is injected under pressure forcing a brewed or mixed drink out the bottom into a cup. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150297021 | CAPSULE OR CARTRIDGE AND INFUSION ASSEMBLY FOR THE PREPARATION OF A BEVERAGE, IN PARTICULAR COFFEE - A capsule or cartridge ( | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150327714 | Hot Beverage Maker and Beverage Vessel with Beverage Level Indicator - A beverage maker is provided comprising a housing, a brew head disposed in the housing, a beverage vessel configured to be removably inserted into a recess in the housing and having an interior volume where beverage brewed by the brew head is directed, a removable lid that fits into an opening of the beverage vessel leading to the interior volume, and indicia in the cover configured to display a level of beverage inside the interior volume of the beverage vessel. A hole is provided in the lid where beverage brewed by the brew head flows through before the beverage is directed to the interior volume of the beverage vessel. The indicia includes a plurality of adjacently staggered light tubes of varying length extending downwardly from the lid into the interior volume of the beverage vessel and configured to sense and graphically display the level of be erase within the interior volume. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20160045061 | MACHINE FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES - A machine for preparing beverages, particularly for preparing espresso coffee, comprising a base ( | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160058240 | MAKER FOR DRIP COFFEE - Provided is a drip coffee maker comprising: a first receptacle; a second receptacle; and a third receptacle, wherein water accommodated in the second receptacle is gradually discharged through the second through hole at a predetermined flow rate per time by means of surface tension and viscosity of water. The first receptacle has a first through hole at the lower end portion thereof to discharge water downward. The second receptacle accommodates water discharged from the first through hole, is disposed at the lower side of the first receptacle and has a plurality of second through holes at the lower end portion thereof to discharge water accommodated therein onto coffee powder. The third receptacle accommodates the coffee powder and water discharged from the second through hole, is disposed at the lower side of the second receptacle and has a third through hole at the lower end portion thereof so that extracted drip coffee can be discharged downwardly. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160130076 | A CAPSULE FOR PREPARING EDIBLE COMPOSITIONS - The present invention concerns a capsule ( | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160150911 | Coffee Machine with Overflow Feature | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160183714 | DUTCH COFFEE DRIP DEVICE - A Dutch coffee drip device includes a stand having an upper plate, a middle plate, and a lower plate; a water supply container being fixed to the upper plate; a pressure pump installed on the bottom of the water supply container to pressurize water supplied from the water supply container to spray the same; a dripper being fixed to the middle plate to contain coffee power, in which coffee is extracted by water sprayed from the pressure pump; and a drip server being fixed to the lower plate to store the coffee extracted from the dripper, wherein the pressure pump comprises: a driving motor, a cam performing a rotating operation by the driving motor; a pressure lever performing an up-and-down operation by the cam; and a spray nozzle spraying the water pressurized by the operation of the pressure lever. | 06-30-2016 |
| 20160183715 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING DRINKS - An apparatus for dispensing a first liquid comprising a second liquid, the apparatus comprising: a male coupling configured to enter and establish a friction seal with a female coupling of a container containing the second liquid by inserting the male coupling into the female coupling and applying a load to the male coupling, the load being provided by the weight of a portion of the apparatus; a spout; and a pump for causing the second liquid to exit the container and the first liquid to be dispensed via the spout after the friction seal is established between the female and male couplings. | 06-30-2016 |
